THREE people appeared in court yesterday after a homeless woman was allegedly raped and her ordeal filmed on a mobile phone.

The 34-year-old told police she was pinned down by another woman and subjected to a violent assault by a young man as his friend took the pictures.

A source said: "I spoke to her and she was in such a state. She was covered in bruises and couldn't stop crying - she was inconsolable.

"She was so afraid because she thought the police wouldn't believe she had been attacked because she is homeless.

"She has been sleeping rough for years and is well known in the homeless community but this is the first time something like this has happened to her. It's just horrific."

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, sleeps rough near Trafalgar Square in London and is a regular visitor to nearby St Martin's homeless shelter.

She told police the hours long attack happened in a flat on Tuesday.

Police confirmed: "She came into Wood Green police station on Wednesday to report a sexual assault.

"She was allegedly held down by another woman and sexually assaulted by a man in his 20s. The victim received medical treatment for her injuries." The spokesman said three people were in custody.

Yesterday Paul Dawson, 28, of Croydon, South London, and Diane Dolman, 45, of no fixed address, appeared at Highgate magistrates' court charged with rape.

David Howlett, 48, of Tottenham, North London, was charged with voyeurism by filming on a camera phone.

Tim Nicholls, of homeless charity The Simon Community, said homeless women are "exceptionally vulnerable - sleeping rough is a very dangerous place for women.

"Rape is a real concern for these women, who cannot lock the door at night and go to bed. They are sleeping in shop doorways and parks where they are prone to attacks. There desperately needs to be more provision and safe places for them to go."